Ignore market noise, build real wealth, Mehta bets big on India growth story

In an exclusive conversation with Sheryll D’Souza, Business Editor-Consulting, The Free Press Journal, Devang Mehta, Deputy Managing Director & CIO — Equity, Spark Capital Private Wealth Management, decodes market cycles, investor behaviour and India’s long-term growth potential.

- Sheryll D’Souza

He explains why investor psychology often outweighs short-term market volatility, highlights the rising influence of domestic capital, and underscores the importance of disciplined investing in quality businesses to build sustainable wealth amid evolving market conditions.

You have spent more than two decades in financial markets. How has your investing journey evolved?

My investing journey started very early, around the age of 14, when my father introduced me to IPO investing. That early exposure helped me understand businesses and long-term wealth creation. Over the years, I have worked across leading financial institutions, and one lesson has remained constant—investing is not just a profession; it is a lifelong passion. Markets reward those who stay patient and disciplined.

Having witnessed multiple market crashes, what is the biggest lesson market cycles teach?

Every market cycle teaches humility. The trigger behind every crash changes—1992 had the scam, 2000 had the dot-com bubble, 2008 had the sub-prime crisis, and 2020 had Covid. But one thing remains constant: human behaviour. Greed and fear drive markets. I always say, you do not lose when markets panic; you lose when you panic.

Can investors apply lessons from past crashes to future cycles?

Yes, but mainly on the behavioural side. No one can predict the exact trigger of the next crisis. What investors can control is their response. Focus on what is within your control—portfolio quality, asset allocation and risk management—not headlines or global noise.